1931 Packard Tire Fitment Guide

1931 Packard vehicles use two tire sizes: 650-19 and 700-19. The 650-19 size fits 1931 Packard 826 Series and 833 Series models, while 700-19 fits 1931 Packard 840 Series and 845 Series models. Both sizes mount on 19-inch rims, but the listed rim-width range differs between the two sizes where fitment details are supplied: 650-19 appears on 3.25 to 3.50 inch rims, and 700-19 appears on 3.75 to 4.00 inch rims.

That means the first fitment question on a 1931 Packard is not the wheel diameter, since both groups use 19-inch wheels, but which series the car belongs to. Junior Packards use the narrower 650-19 tire, while senior cars step up to 700-19. If your car has had wheel changes over the decades, verify the actual rim width before choosing a specific tire rather than relying only on the year stamped on the title.

On a 1931 Packard, 650-19 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 6.50 designation refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, and the 19 identifies the rim diameter in inches. On 1931 Packard models, this size belongs to the 826 Series and 833 Series and appears in traditional bias-ply construction with blackwall and wide whitewall options.

Modern buyers sometimes expect a metric code or an aspect ratio, but prewar Packard tires were commonly expressed in this simpler numeric format. The practical takeaway is that 650-19 is not interchangeable with 700-19 just because both mount on 19-inch wheels. On a 1931 Packard, the size itself is tied to the series and to the wheel width range used by that group of cars.

No, 1931 Packard models do not all use the same tire size. The 826 Series and 833 Series use 650-19 tires, while the 840 Series and 845 Series use 700-19 tires. All four series use bias-ply construction and 19-inch rim diameter, but Packard separated the junior and senior models with different tire widths.

That difference matters because a buyer who knows only that the car is a 1931 Packard still has two distinct tire groups to choose from. It also reflects the hierarchy within the Packard lineup, with the larger senior cars carrying a larger-section tire. If you are comparing wheels or older restoration notes, identify the exact series plate before treating any existing tire size as correct.

1931 Packard tires are available in several period-appropriate sidewall treatments depending on size. In 650-19, available styles include blackwall and wide whitewall. In 700-19, available styles include blackwall and double-whitewall. All of these choices are offered in bias-ply construction, which suits the prewar Packard era.

Sidewall style changes the car's visual character even when the basic size remains correct. Blackwalls usually give a more restrained, formal appearance, while whitewall treatments add the brighter luxury presentation many collectors associate with premium prewar automobiles. If your Packard is being judged, confirm the preferred sidewall treatment for your body style, market, and event standards before making appearance the deciding factor.

Firestone and Lester both make tires for 1931 Packard vehicles in the listed sizes. The 650-19 size is offered by both brands, and the 700-19 size is also offered by both brands. Firestone appears in classic bias-ply and balloon-pattern offerings, while Lester appears in classic bias-ply form.

For most 1931 Packard owners, the brand decision comes after the series and size are confirmed. Once size is settled, you can compare the available brand lineups by sidewall treatment and by details such as listed rim-width fitment or load rating where those figures are supplied. That approach keeps the purchase centered on correct Packard fitment first and cosmetic or series preference second.

On 1931 Packard applications, Firestone Balloon and Firestone Classic Bias Ply tires share the same period bias-ply construction but differ in the available specification details and sidewall treatments. In 650-19, Firestone Balloon offerings include blackwall and 3.50-inch whitewall versions with a listed 3.25 to 3.50 inch rim-width range, while a Firestone Classic Bias Ply blackwall is also offered. In 700-19, Firestone Balloon includes blackwall and double-whitewall versions with a 3.75 to 4.00 inch rim-width range, while Firestone Classic Bias Ply appears in blackwall with a listed 1,585-pound maximum load at 36 psi.

That means the choice is less about one being modern and the other being old-fashioned, since both are bias-ply, and more about the exact sidewall appearance and specification set that best suits your Packard. Some owners will focus on a balloon-style presentation and listed wheel-width compatibility, while others may prefer a simpler classic bias-ply blackwall. Comparing the individual product details within the correct size is the right next step.

1931 Packard tire rim width depends on the tire size. For 650-19 tires used on 1931 Packard 826 Series and 833 Series models, listed fitments appear on 3.25 to 3.50 inch rims. For 700-19 tires used on 1931 Packard 840 Series and 845 Series models, listed fitments appear on 3.75 to 4.00 inch rims. Both sizes use 19-inch rim diameter.

That distinction is important because sharing the same wheel diameter does not make the two tire sizes interchangeable on every wheel. A 19-inch Packard rim still needs to match the width range appropriate to the tire being installed. If your car has original artillery wheels, sidemount spares, or replacement rims from an older restoration, measure the wheel before assuming the currently fitted tire is on the right width.

Original 1931 Packard wheels can be used with both listed tire sizes only in the sense that both 650-19 and 700-19 mount on 19-inch rims. The 650-19 size is associated with a narrower rim-width range than 700-19, so wheel diameter alone does not settle the question. Packard assigned the two sizes by series, not as interchangeable alternatives across the lineup.

For a buyer or restorer, that means a 19-inch wheel from one 1931 Packard series should not automatically be treated as correct for another. Junior-series wheels and senior-series wheels may not be the same width even though the tire bead diameter matches. If you are reusing original wheels, verify the wheel width and the car's actual series before mounting tires or restoring the spare.

A 1931 Packard should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment. Because 1931 Packard tires are bias-ply, they are more prone than modern radials to temporary flat-spotting after long static periods. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and proper inflation help preserve both the casing and the sidewalls.

If the car will sit for months, roll it periodically to change the contact patch or place it on stands in a way that follows safe vintage-vehicle storage practice. Keep the spare tire under the same conditions rather than treating it as exempt from aging. A prewar Packard's tire condition is part of the car's overall readiness, not just a cosmetic concern at the corners.

Tires on a 1931 Packard should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Collector-car tires are commonly evaluated closely once they reach about five to seven years of service, and many owners begin planning replacement as they approach roughly ten years, even if tread wear is low. The DOT date code and the tire's overall condition tell the real story on a seldom-driven car.

That matters because a 1931 Packard may cover very few miles while still spending long periods parked, which can age the rubber and casing quietly. Sidewall checking, tread hardening, and repeated air loss deserve more attention than odometer readings alone. If the car is driven regularly on tours rather than shown occasionally, make age-based inspection and replacement a standard part of maintenance planning.

Tires on a 1931 Packard should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and signs that the tire is not holding pressure consistently. Because these are prewar-style bias-ply applications, inspection should also include the spare, the valve stems, and the wheel itself for rust or damage around the bead area.

A short local drive in a collector Packard can hide problems that become serious once the car is warm and at sustained road speed. Regular checks also help catch issues created by long storage, such as flat-spots or weathering on one side of the tire. Building tire inspection into every pre-drive routine is one of the simplest ways to protect both the car and its occupants.

A 1931 Packard 826 Series would have originally used bias-ply tires, as that was the standard construction for American luxury cars of the period. Within the listed 1931 Packard fitments, the 826 Series uses 650-19. The same size also applies to the 833 Series, while the larger senior Packards move up to 700-19.

For restoration work, that makes 650-19 bias-ply the correct starting point for an 826 Series rather than a modern reinterpretation in a different format. Sidewall treatment still deserves a second look, since blackwall and whitewall choices can affect how authentic the finished car appears. If the car has unusual coachwork or a market-specific history, a Packard club or marque specialist can help confirm event-level expectations.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1931 Packard because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall style immediately. A 1931 Packard shown for originality should wear the right numeric 19-inch bias-ply size for its series, with 650-19 on 826 and 833 models and 700-19 on 840 and 845 models. A wrong size or the wrong visual treatment can upset the car's proportion even before anyone looks deeper.

That does not mean every event uses the same standard, but it does mean tire choice is part of the restoration, not an afterthought. Whitewall width, blackwall versus whitewall presentation, and overall profile all affect how convincing the car looks in period. Before finalizing a show car, compare your choice against period photos, marque references, and the rules of the event where the Packard will appear.

For a 1931 Packard, the difference between blackwall and whitewall tires is primarily visual rather than dimensional when the size remains the same. In 650-19, blackwall and wide whitewall choices are available, while 700-19 includes blackwall and double-whitewall options. All remain bias-ply tires with the same basic period construction for the respective series.

Appearance matters especially on a prewar luxury car because the tire sidewall becomes part of the overall design language. A blackwall tends to look more restrained and formal, while a whitewall treatment emphasizes prestige and period flourish. The most authentic choice depends on how your particular 1931 Packard is being restored and how closely you want it to reflect period presentation rather than a generalized classic-car look.

1931 Packard tires can be suitable for normal road use when they are the correct size, properly mounted, in sound condition, and used within the expectations of a prewar bias-ply tire. The listed 650-19 and 700-19 options are all bias-ply designs, and no explicit speed ratings are shown for these products. On a car of this age, tire condition and correct fitment are only part of the safety picture alongside brakes, steering, suspension, and wheel condition.

In practical use, most 1931 Packard owners are limited more by the car's era-specific mechanical systems and handling behavior than by the idea of sustained modern interstate speeds. Bias-ply tires track and respond differently than modern radials, so a freshly restored Packard should be reacquainted with the road gradually. For touring, treat the tires as one part of a full roadworthiness check rather than the sole safety decision.

Inflation pressure on a 1931 Packard should follow the vehicle's original guidance first, then be cross-checked against the tire maker's maximum stated pressure where one is supplied for the exact product. Among the listed tires, select 650-19 products show a maximum load of 1430 pounds at 36 psi, while select 700-19 products show maximum loads from 1570 to 1585 pounds at 36 psi. Those figures are product ratings, not a blanket instruction to run every 1931 Packard tire at the same pressure.

The right approach is to start with the factory recommendation for your specific series and then verify that your chosen reproduction tire's rated pressure and load are appropriate for that use. Pressure that is too high or too low can affect ride, tread wear, and how a bias-ply Packard steers on crowned roads. Keep pressures matched side to side and check them cold rather than after driving.

Before a longer drive in a 1931 Packard, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper inflation, and do the same for the spare. Look closely at valve stems, wheel condition, and the bead area, especially on cars that have sat for long periods or still wear older restored wheels. On a prewar Packard, tire readiness belongs alongside checks of brakes, wheel bearings, steering play, cooling, and lighting.

A longer outing places more heat and sustained load into the tires than a short neighborhood drive, so small issues become more important. If the car wanders, vibrates, or develops a pull early in the trip, stop and inspect before continuing. Touring confidently in a 1931 Packard comes from treating the tire check as part of a complete pre-drive ritual rather than a quick glance at the tread.